2 Labs of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) namely Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune & High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL) have developed an Modern Canopy Severance System (CSS) for India’s Indigenous Fighter Aircraft Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas & Trainer Aircrafts like HJT-36 Aircraft & HTT-40 Aircraft. The CSS of a fighter aircraft is a life saving device that helps in safe ejection of a pilot in distress.
- ARDE & HEMRL are now capable of developing CSS for any Military Aircraft required by Indian Air Force (IAF).
- The CSS design was approved by Certifying Agency RCMA (AA), Pune, Maharashtra and CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification), Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The Transfer of Technology (ToT) for production of CSS was awarded to CMD – S. Pramanik and General Manager – R Chandra of GOCL Corporation Ltd during an Certificate Award Ceremony.
- Aircrafts equipped with CSS provide safe passage for pilots by pre-weakening/severing the canopy to facilitate the smooth escape of the pilot in the shortest possible time.
Canopy Severance System (CSS)
i.CSS works on the principle of controlled propagation of detonation using explosive mechanical energy. It can be operated from outside the aircraft especially when the pilot is unconscious or in the event of crash-landing.
ii.It has 2 independent sub-system namely In-flight Egress System (IES) & Ground Egress System (GES).
- IES is for in-flight emergencies, it is integrated with the seat ejection operation.
- GES is for on-ground emergencies, it is independent of seat ejections.
iii.CSS for LCA Tejas was tested successfully in seat ejection trials at Martin Baker Company, London, UK and for Trainer Aircraft at Zvezda, Moscow, Russia.
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May 28, 2021, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) has developed an Indigenous Isothermal Forging Technology for manufacturing critical components like discs, shafts and blisks etc of Adour engine (which powers Jaguar Attack Aircraft) & Kaveri engine.
About Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)
Director – Dr. V Venkateswara Rao
Location – Pune, Maharashtra
About High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL)
Director – KPS Murthy
Location – Pune, Maharashtra
